It’s not Thanksgiving unless there is a sweet, warm, delicious pie waiting at the end of one of the biggest dinners of the year. Sure, turkey and other centerpiece dishes are great, but pie is the real MVP. The dessert has been a holiday staple in the United States since the 19th century when British immigrants brought it over.
In 1827, reformer, editor, and author behind the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” Sarah Josepha Hale, wrote an entire chapter about Thanksgiving in her abolitionist novel “Northwood: Life North and South.” It included her recipe for pumpkin pie, which inspired many American cooks to make it a staple in their Thanksgiving festivities. Over the decades, pies for the festivities have expanded to include several flavors, including apple, pecan, sweet potato and just about any imaginable berry combination.
We’ve compiled a list of 10 pie shops in Southern California that will make your Thanksgiving dessert pop, including some that take classics like apple and blend them with other flavors and fruits. Be sure to check the website of each bakery for pricing information, order deadlines and serving quantities. It used to be that you’d have to travel down south to San Diego to get a slice of pie from the trendy Pop Pie Co.
, but it’s since opened a location in Costa Mesa. Pies baked at this shop have a shortcrust on the bottom and a sweet, flaky, puffy top made with butter. While the menu focuses on sweet and savory, the sweeter pie flavor.
